JPH08251297A - System and method for establishing communication through network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To guarantee a high-quality communication with a moving subscriber at any place by communicating with the moving individual by using two-way paging technologies. SOLUTION: When a caller starts calling the moving subscriber PTN(private telephone number), a call is connected to a network control point(NCP) through a combination of a communication network 16, a network access exchange 14, and a communication connection 22. The NCP 24 sends an inquiry to a customer route point(CRP) 34 through the communication connection 26. The CRP 34 reads out a transfer number of the very person who is moving according to the PTN and answers it to the NCP 24. The NCP 24 passes the transfer number to an exchanges, which retransfers the call to a termination-side telephone set 32. At this point of time, the call is picked up by the moving subscriber with the telephone set at a terminal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to communication systems, and more particularly to establishing communications with a person moving using paging techniques.

It is noted that this application is a commonly assigned and pending US patent application "Systems and Methods for Establishing Communication with Moving Persons" (MJ Foladare 2-13-13-17).
Was filed on the same date as this and is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0003]

Establishing communication with a called party becomes a problem when the other party is moving. Generally, a person who wants to contact a particular party initiates a call to a particular phone associated with that party, such as the person's home telephone. The inconvenience of this communication method is that the other party is not always in the vicinity of the home telephone, or moreover, there may be no telephone nearby. This is a problem for those who need to contact the person they are moving with immediately and independently of where they are.

Several techniques have been developed in an effort to solve the problem of establishing communication with moving persons.
This technology includes call forwarding, paging, and cellular methods. However, each of these technologies has drawbacks that prevent uninterrupted communication everywhere.

Call transfer is a well-known technique by which a person planning to leave an involved phone can redirect the call to another phone. For example, an office worker who is planning to take a vacation may transfer a call to a coworker's phone at a company. Such a system is desirable but inflexible. The transferring party needs to access the phone to activate and deactivate call transfers and change the transfer number. This lack of flexibility is particularly severe for those who need frequent changes in their forwarding numbers, such as travel salesmen who want to receive calls from potential buyers while traveling. is there.

Further, current call forwarding schemes make inefficient use of network resources. The call must be sent to the other end of the transfer, after which the call will be retransferred. Thus, for example, when a person transfers a call from his California home phone to a New Jersey relative's phone, a call from New York to the party's home phone is shipped to California before being transferred to New York. To be done. Such a process unnecessarily ties up network resources from New York to California to complete a call from New York to New Jersey.

In paging systems, mobile individuals carry portable pagers. Typically, pagers are assigned a telephone number and can receive a predetermined wireless signal. When the caller dials the pager's number, a predetermined wireless signal is broadcast and the pager activates an audible and / or visual alert in response to the signal. The alert serves to alert the migrant that an attempt has been made to contact the migrant. Since the calling party's telephone number is often included in the radio signal, the pager can record the calling party's number and the called party can later initiate an answering call. One of the drawbacks of paging systems of the past is that bidirectional communication is usually not possible. Thus, in a typical paging scenario, the called party must relocate and initiate an answering call to establish full two-way communication with the calling party. Moving to such a location is inconvenient and time-consuming, resulting in a “phone-hanging” situation in which the two periodically try to contact each other, but the other party is available. It will fail because there isn't one.

Another drawback of past paging systems is the delay associated with paging queues. In general, paging services can only send one paging at a time. However, the service usually receives many paging requests at one time. Therefore, the queue increases the broadcasting facility of the service and delays the paging throughput time. Paging services that provide national coverage for their subscribers compound this problem. In such services, subscriber paging is broadcast from several facilities, and thus throughput time delays occur at each facility.

Although the cellular system provides an answer to the problem of location mobility present in call forwarding and paging systems, it introduces many new problems.
A typical cellular telephone is a wireless, two-way voice communication device that can be carried by an individual. Typically, each cellular telephone user subscribes to a carrier's services in a particular geographical area served by the carrier. A call to a subscriber is easily completed when the subscriber is in the area where the subscriber is based because the call is routed through the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) that serves the home. However, when the subscriber is in another area, the call is more difficult to complete because the subscriber is called a "wanderer" and it is not known a priori through which MTSO the call will be routed. .

The problem of wanderers will be solved by having the "home MTSO" notify the wandering subscribers that they are located in another area. It provides the necessary information from the "Home MTSO" to the "Host MT
Sending to "SO" enables the "host MTSO" to route the subscriber's call. However, this "cellular call transfer" introduces similar problems associated with traditional call transfer. Moreover, all cellular communications, including within the home, suffer from noise sensitivity and impede guaranteed high quality communications.

[0011]

The above-mentioned call transfer,
Given the problems associated with paging and cellular systems, there is a need to provide a system that ensures high quality communication with moving parties everywhere.

The invention disclosed in the MJ Foladare 2-13-13-17 application and cited herein describes the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional systems used to communicate with moving individuals. ing. The invention of Foladare 2-13-13-17 discloses a system for communicating with a moving individual,
There, the moving party uses a two-way pager to transmit the transfer number on a call-by-call basis. Thus, the invention overcomes the disadvantages of conventional systems. However, the invention of Foladare 2-13-13-17 has an improved feature, namely a lengthy call setup time, and one has to wait for the moving party to transmit the transfer number.

[0013]

The present invention uses a bidirectional paging technique to overcome the drawbacks of prior systems used to communicate with moving individuals. The present invention uses bidirectional paging techniques to overcome the disadvantages of conventional systems used to communicate with moving individuals while, on the other hand, the time it takes to establish such communication. To minimize.

Mobile individuals who wish to utilize the present invention are equipped with an interactive pager and are assigned a personal telephone number (PTN). The mobile individual uses the pager to transmit the transfer telephone number to the paging service. The paging service relays the transfer number to a customer routing point (CRP) where the number is stored. Thereafter, whenever there is a call on the PTN of the moving individual, the termination number is read from the CRP and used to transfer the call to the terminating telephone.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a call to a moving individual is completed according to the following "registration" procedure. The moving individual is equipped with a two-way pager with a keypad, and the parties use the keypad to "key in" the transfer telephone number. This transfer number is associated with the terminating phone to which the call to the party should be transferred. The parties then begin transmitting update signals from the interactive pager to the paging service transmitter. The transfer number is included in the update signal.

After receiving the update signal, the paging service transmitter relays the signal directly to or through the satellite ground station. The ground station, in turn, relays the signal to a CRP that extracts the transfer number from the signal and stores it for later reading. At this point, the system is configured to transfer the call input for the moving individual.

By dialing the PTN of the moving individual, the caller initiates call input from the calling telephone to the moving individual. The call is
It is shipped to a network access switch connected to a network control point (NCP). The NCP uses the dialed PTN to access the CRP,
Read the transfer number of a moving individual. Then N
The CP passes the transfer number to the network access switch, which uses the number to redirect the call to the terminating switch. Then the moving individual
You can "pick up" a call at the terminating phone.

The present invention offers several advantages over conventional systems. First, the moving party can use the interactive pager to change the transfer number, eliminating the need for the moving party to access the phone each time they want to change the transfer number. Second, the mobile party can change the transfer number on each call, determine the caller's identity from the caller's identification number, and transfer it to the caller accordingly. Third,
Unlike traditional paging systems, mobile parties do not have to relocate to initiate an answer call. In this way, the call initiator is not burdened with waiting for a reply call, avoiding a "phone hanging" situation. Fourth, the present invention allows a mobile party to transfer a call to a cellular device, thereby allowing the mobile party to utilize cellular services when available, and at the same time another communication method when unavailable. I will provide a.

Further, the present invention allows call forwarding to be performed at a location proximate to the calling telephone (typically near the first network switch). Thereby, more efficient routing of forwarded calls can be achieved and unnecessary use of network resources can be avoided.

The present invention is also related to commonly-assigned pending US patent application "Systems and Methods for Establishing Communication with Moving Persons" (MJ Foladare 2-13-13-17). Filed on the same date as this and incorporated herein by reference. In the previous invention, the mobile party uses a two-way pager to answer calls on a "call by call" basis. In contrast, the present invention allows a moving party to “register” a transfer number and change the transfer number wherever and whenever the party desires, on a per-call basis. No need to respond. In addition, the registration allows the system to wait less time for the subscriber to send a response before performing the transfer procedure, thus reducing the call setup time. In addition, Foladare 2-1
In the invention of 3-13-17, a method of loading the system hardware and increasing the call setup time is required in order to bridge or merge two separate calls to complete one call. . The present invention reduces the impact on hardware load and call settling time by sending call transfers through separate routes rather than bridging or merging. In addition to that, the invention is
It can be combined with the invention of Foladare 2-13-13-17 to transfer calls on a "registered" basis using a bidirectional pager, or to call on a "call by call" basis using a bidirectional pager. Transfer and realize the benefits of both.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a communication system incorporating the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, a caller can complete a call to a moving party equipped with the interactive pager 10. The caller initiates the call via the telephone 12 of the caller. It should be noted at this point that the calling telephone, like all other telephones discussed herein, is merely used as an example, and the invention is implemented through various communication devices.
They include, but are not limited to, telephones, computers, facsimile machines.

In any case, the calling telephone 12
Is connected to the network access switch 14 by a first communication connection 16. The first communication connection 16, and all communication connections described below, can be in the form of telephone lines, twisted pair wires, coaxial cables, fiber optic lines, wireless links or any other type of communication connection.

Through the first telecommunication connection 16, the network access switch 14 and the second telecommunication connection 22,
The calling telephone 12 is connected to a network control point (NCP) 24. The NCP is connected to a customer routing point (CRP) 34 via a third communication connection 26, which in turn is connected to a paging service 28 through a fourth communication connection 27. The moving party uses a pager to send an update signal, typically by wireless link 30, to the paging service. The update signal is sent to the terminal telephone 32.
An identification signal containing a transfer telephone number associated with the, and containing sufficient information to identify the pager transmitting. When an update signal is received from the pager, the paging service will send the signal to the C
It is relayed to the RP, where the transfer number is extracted from the signal and stored. The transfer number provided by the mobile party is cross-referenced to that party's PTN so that the terminating number for that party is read from the CRP whenever that party's PTN is dialed.

The caller is the PTN of the moving partner
When making a call by dialing
The call is connected to NCP 24 via a combination of first communication connection 16, network access switch 14 and second communication connection 22. The NCP then interrogates the CRP through the third communication connection 26. Based on the dialed PTN, the CRP reads the transfer number of the moving party and sends it through the third communication connection to the NC.
Reply to P. The NCP, in turn, passes the transfer number to the network access switch 14, which uses this number to retransfer the call to the terminating telephone 32. The network access switch 14 transfers the call to the terminating telephone through the fourth communication connection 20. At this point, the call is "picked up" by the moving party at the terminating phone.

It should be noted that the functionality of CRP 34 can be incorporated into NCP 24 or paging service 28. In that case, the present invention provides a separate CRP.
Can be run without elements.

In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is incorporated into an existing telephone network, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the caller 40 is attempting to establish communication with a moving party or "subscriber" 76, who is assigned a personal telephone number (PTN) and is a two-way pager. Equipped with 77. The caller initiates a call input by dialing the subscriber's PTN from the telephone 41. This call input is connected through a first telephone line 54 to a first local station 42 in the calling area. The first local station routes the call to the initiating access switch 44 over the first trunk line 56. Switch 44
May take the form of a digital exchange or an electronic exchange system, such as AT &T's 4ESS-TM exchange ("4E" exchange). For a more complete description of the 4E switch, see The Bell System Technical Journal Vol.
56 No. 7, pp1015-1320, issued September 1977.

When the call is sent to switch 44, switch 44 interrogates network control point (NCP) 66 via a first common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) link 78. (CCIS combines signaling information for many channels and sends that information over a data link derived from a dedicated facility). At this point, if the subscriber is prepared for aggregation of customer-entered digits (CED), the NCP directs the switch 44 to place a call to the voice response unit (VRU) 43 on the first communication link 57. Connect through. Then VRU (eg AT & T
Network Service Complex (NSCX)
Will issue a standard prompt notification to the caller and, through receipt of up to 10 digits of Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF) digits (ie Touchtone-TM signal from touchtone-TM phone), CED (eg personal Identification number,
That is, PIN) is aggregated. In systems using CED, provisions must be made for cases where the caller is a rotary dial machine or does not respond to prompts to allow the caller to enter digits. In these two situations, the VRU can utilize a timeout or speed dial sequence (eg, #) to imply that the digit does not appear. All CEDs aggregated by VRU are returned to NCP.

In either case, after the CED aggregation, or immediately after the invoking access switch has heard the NCP, the NCP hears the customer routing point (CRP) 68 via the second CCIS link 67. To do. Upon hearing, the NCP sends out the CED, PTN, and the telephone number (automatic identification number, or "ANI") of the caller.
Based on the ANI and / or CED, the CRP screens the call to determine if the call is to be shipped directly to the subscriber. If the call is not to be routed directly to the subscriber, the CRP directs the NCP to route the call to an alternative procedure such as a voice mailbox. If the call is routed directly to the subscriber, the CRP accesses the subscriber record stored in the CRP, retrieves the transfer number for the subscriber from the record, and transfers the transfer number to the NCP via CCIS link 67. Send it back. The NCP relays the transfer number to the invoking access switch through the CCIS link 78. The transfer number is then used to retransfer the call input.

The subscriber can use the interactive pager to update the forwarding number at any time. To update the forwarding number, the subscriber 76 uses the interactive pager 77 to generate an update signal containing the new forwarding number. The update signal is transmitted to the paging service transmitter 74. The transmitter sends the update signal directly through the communication connection 85, or
It indirectly relays to the satellite ground station 70 via the wireless link 86, the satellite 72, and the wireless link 84 via the wireless link 86. The satellite ground station, in turn, has a second communication link 82 to the CRP.
Pass the signal through. The CRP extracts the new transfer number and uses it to update the subscriber's CRP record with the new transfer number.

Calls are transferred based on the latest update of the transfer number. As mentioned above, whenever the call input passes screening by the CRP, the NCP 66 retrieves the transfer number from the CRP 68 and passes it to the initiating access switch 44 to retransfer the call to the terminating telephone 92. . Re-transfer from the initiating access exchange to the terminating telephone is performed by the following route. Second trunk line 58, terminating access switch 60 (which is a digital switch, like switch 44, or a 4E switch), third trunk line 6
2. A second local station 64 and a second telephone line 90. The originating access exchange connects the call to the terminating access exchange through a second trunk line. The terminating access switch in turn connects the call to the second local station through the third trunk line. The second local station then connects the call to the terminating telephone through the second telephone line. When the retransfer is complete, the call is "picked up" by the subscriber at the terminating telephone.

FIG. 3 shows a bidirectional pager 100 and a transmitter 1.
12, satellite 114, satellite ground station 116, wireless link 11
1, 113, and 115, exemplary embodiments of communication link 117 are shown and are suitable for use in accordance with the present invention. The pager 100 includes: A display 102 such as a liquid crystal display or a light emitting diode display, a selection key 104, a menu key 1
06, keypad 108, and display 102
A mode instruction 110 that may be included in. FIG.
Are referenced in the following description of the flow charts of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

4A and 4B show the steps taken in updating the subscriber's forwarding number. The pager of FIG. 3 updates transfer numbers on a "registration" basis as described herein or on a "call by call" basis as described in the cross-referenced application Foladare 2-13-13-17. Used for. As such, the description that follows includes provision for both "registration" and "call" based updates.

The first step the subscriber takes to update the forwarding number is to depress the menu key 104 of the pager 100 (step 202).
The word "update" appears on the display 102. The subscriber then depresses select key 106 to select "update" (step 204). The word "update" flashes in the display, instructing the subscriber to enter the update number (step 206). Here, the subscriber inputs the transfer number through the keypad 108, and then continuously inputs the # key indicating the end of the input (step 208). To enter a special call processing instruction (such as that described in Folardare 2-13-13-17) such as a conference call instruction, enter the number associated with that instruction rather than the transfer number (step 208). ). Subscribers who do not want to change the forwarding number and do not want to enter a special order number may simply press the # key down instead of entering the number.

Further, in the preferred embodiment, the pager has the ability to store the forwarding number so that the short key sequence can be used to change the forwarding number. For example, the subscriber's office telephone number can be stored in a first location in the pager's memory and the subscriber's home telephone number can be stored in a second location in the pager's memory. You can Thereafter, when the subscriber wishes to change the transfer number to the office number, the subscriber may simply key in a 1 followed by the # sign. Similarly, when the subscriber wishes to change the forwarding number to their home number, the subscriber simply keys in a 2 followed by a # sign.

In any case, after receiving the # input,
The pager mode display flashes (step 21)
0). At this point, the subscriber must select the desired mode (step 212). The pager determines whether the desired mode is the current mode (step 214 if the desired mode is the registration mode,
If the desired mode is the call-by-call mode, step 222). If the subscriber desires a registration mode and the current mode is not the registration mode, the subscriber depresses the select key 106 to change to the registration mode before the flashing mode indication stabilizes ( Step two
16). If the subscriber wants a registration mode, and the current mode is a registration mode, the subscriber may leave the time elapsed and the flashing mode indication will then be stable. Or alternatively,
The subscriber holds down the current mode by depressing the # key to shorten the timing (step 218).

Similarly, if the subscriber desires call-by-call mode and the current mode is not call-by-call mode, the subscriber depresses the select key 104 before the flashing mode indication stabilizes. The mode is changed to every call mode (step 224). If the subscriber wants call-by-call mode and the current mode is call-by-call mode, the subscriber can leave the time period elapsed and the flashing mode indication will be stable thereafter. . Alternatively, the subscriber depresses the # key to shorten the timing and retain the current mode (step 226). After the mode is selected, the pager sends the pager code, updated transfer number, and mode indication (in step 220 in registration mode and step 228 in call-by-call mode) to transmitter 112 via wireless link 111. To transmit.

Subsequent to receiving the pager transmission, the transmitter 112 sends the pager code, the new transfer number, the mode indication, either directly through the communication connection 117 or indirectly. And 115 to the satellite ground station 116 (step 23).
0). The next step (step 232) depends on the mode selected. When registration mode is selected, the satellite station determines the subscriber's PTN from the pager code, uses the PTN to read the subscriber's customer routing point (CRP) record, and finally updates the record. To reflect the new mode and transfer number. When per-call mode is selected, the satellite station simply relays the transfer number to the auxiliary device (Foladare 2-13-13-1
Auxiliary devices use it to transfer call input, as described in 7). Update is step 23
Complete after 2 (step 234).

FIG. 5 illustrates, in flowchart form, the steps taken in completing a call according to the present invention.
Reference is made to FIG. 2 in the description of FIGS. 5A and 5B below.

As shown in FIG. 5, the caller initiates a call by dialing the subscriber's PTN (step 300). The call is routed to the initiating access exchange (step 302), which is NCP
Is inquired about route selection information (step 304). At this point, if the subscriber is ready for CED aggregation,
The NCP directs the invoking access switch to connect the call to the VRU for aggregation of the DTMF digits and returns the aggregated digits to the NCP (optional step 3
06). After aggregation of CED numbers, or step 30
Immediately following 4 and in either case, the NCP
Inquire subscriber record to RP, CED against CRP,
The PTN and ANI are transmitted (step 308). The CRP then retrieves the subscriber's record based on the PTN (step 310). The record contains the transfer number and may include instructions to screen the call input. If the subscriber is preparing a subscriber record to initiate call screening, the CRP screens call input based on CED and / or ANI (determines appropriate treatment of call) (step 312). ).

Based on the screening performed in step 312, a decision is made whether to route the call directly to the subscriber (step 314). CRP is N if the call is not to be sent directly to the subscriber.
Instruct the CP to route the call to an alternate action such as a network notification, voice mailbox, service platform (step 316). CR if the call is to be shipped directly to the subscriber
P returns a forwarding number or "network routing number" to the NCP, which then uses the number to forward the call to the terminating telephone, which the subscriber can "pick up". (Step 318).
Following call retransfer, call processing is complete (step 320).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 shows the additional components: auxiliary device 73, switch 47, communication connection 4
2, except 49, 71, 75 and wireless link 87.
Is the same as The system of FIG. 6 is used to provide all of the subscriber characteristics associated with both registration mode operation (described above) and call-by-call mode operation (described below).

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a block diagram including the salient elements of a communication system used to perform call-by-call mode transfers. As shown, the caller initiates a call from the calling telephone 12 'to a moving party equipped with a two-way pager 10'. The calling telephone is connected to the first network switch 14 'by a first communication connection 16'. The first network switch is in turn connected to the second network switch 18 'via a second communication connection 20'. The second network switch has a third communication connection 22 'to the auxiliary device 24' and a fourth communication connection 30 'to the third network switch 26'.
Connected through. Thus, there is a path between the calling telephone and the auxiliary device, and a path between the calling telephone and the third network switch.

The auxiliary device 24 'is a component having an information processing function, and is connected to the network in the same way as a switch or a telephone is connected outside the network. Examples of assistive devices are AT & T voice response units (VRUs) such as Conversant and Summ.
a Four included. Two possible ways of connecting auxiliary equipment to the network are common channel inter-station signaling (C
CIS) Link and Service Integrated Digital Network (IS)
DN) communication link. In another embodiment, the ancillary device is internal to the network, in which case the ancillary device functions the same but does not require a connecting link.

When a call is initiated by dialing the PTN of the mobile partner, the call is connected to auxiliary device 24 'via connections 16', 14 ', 22' and switches 14 ', 18'. It The auxiliary device puts the call on hold and identifies the moving partner (PT
(Known through N), the information needed to page the mobile party is read. This information can be contained in a database internal to the auxiliary device or can be read from an external database (not shown). Auxiliary device 24 'passes the required paging information to paging service 28' through fifth communication connection 34 '. The paging service then broadcasts a paging activation signal and a caller identification signal. Both are intended to be received at the interactive pager 10 '.

The pager 10 'is equipped with: A warning that is activated in response to a pager activation signal, a display that responds to the caller's identification signal, and a keyboard to specify a transfer number or special instructions. The mobile party receiving the call alert checks the pager's display to identify the caller and then decides how to handle the call based on the caller's identification. One possible action is to transfer the call to the called party's telephone 32 '. The called party's telephone may be a nearby subscriber telephone or a somewhat remote subscriber telephone such as a secretary's telephone. To transfer the call to the called party's telephone, the mobile party uses the pager's keyboard to key in the telephone number of the called party's telephone into the pager, and then that number is passed to the paging service 28 '. Tell. The paging service passes the transfer number to the auxiliary device used to transfer the call.

Another possible call process is the process used when the mobile party is busy. When the mobile party is busy and the next call is made to that party's PTN, the party either forwards the next call to another number or puts the previous caller on hold and then You can talk to the caller or use the pager to send a conference call order to talk to both callers at the same time. Also, if the moving party transfers the next call, but becomes free before the next caller disconnects, the party interrupts the transfer processing of the next call and replays the call to the party. Can be transferred.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, while initiating a second call from the auxiliary device 24 'to the called party's telephone 32', the auxiliary device holds the incoming call at the auxiliary device. To forward the call. This second call is routed as follows. Communication connection 22 ', second network switch 18', communication connection 3
0 ', a third network switch 26', a sixth communication connection 36 '. After the second call is completed, the adjunct bridges the call input and the second call together so that the calling telephone is connected through the adjunct to the called party's telephone. Alternatively, the adjunct merges the call input and the second call at the second network switch. In that case, the auxiliary device disappears from the call.
Once the call input and the second call have been bridged or merged into a "forwarded call", the forwarded call is transferred by the mobile party to the telephone 3
2'may be picked up.

A similar procedure may be used to execute a special call processing instruction. For example, in the case of a conference call between two callers and a moving party, the ancillary device bridges the two calls coming from multiple callers to the call being output to the moving party. It can be merged or merged.

FIG. 8 illustrates a call-by-call transfer method implemented in an existing telephone network. As shown, the caller 40 'requests to establish communication with a mobile party or "subscriber"76' equipped with a two-way pager 77 '. The subscriber is a personal telephone number (P
TN). PT of the moving opponent
By dialing N, the caller is the telephone 4
Call input starts from 1 '. This call input is connected through a telephone line 54 'to a local station 42' within the calling area. Local station 42 'routes the call to initiating access switch 44' over trunk line 56 '. Switch 44 'may take the form of a digital switch or electronic switching system, such as the AT & T "4E" switch.

Once the call has been dispatched to switch 44 ', the network control point (NCP) 6
6'receives the caller's signaling information, including the dialed PTN, via CCIS link 78 '. NCP
Uses the dialed number to retrieve routing information from the NCP's associated database. The NCP then uses a digital switch or 4 as well as the initiating access switch.
The call is routed to the terminating access switch 46 ', which is an E-switch, through a trunk line 58'. Switch 4
6'is an auxiliary device 68 'via ISDN link 80'
Can be connected to. The terminating access switch can merge the call in response to a signal from the auxiliary device.

The ISDN link provides both the called number (subscriber PTN) and the called number (automatic number identification number or ANI) to the auxiliary device 68 '.
The auxiliary device retrieves the subscriber's record and current status information based on the PTN. From the subscriber's record, the auxiliary device also determines if the subscriber is prepared to receive a personal identification number (PIN). If the subscriber is so prepared, the adjunct device 68 'issues a standard prompt notice to the caller, and then 10 seconds from the caller.
The PIN is aggregated by receiving up to dual tone multi-frequency signal (DTMF) digits (ie, Touchtone ™ signals from Touchtone ™ phones). PIN
In a system using the, the caller is unable to enter the PIN because the caller is a rotary dial machine, or the caller does not respond to the prompt notification. In these two cases, auxiliary device 68 'allows a timeout or speed dial sequence (eg, #) to indicate that the PIN does not appear. Whether or not the PIN is aggregated, the adjunct device 68 'proceeds to determine if the subscriber 76' is busy with another call to the subscriber's PTN. It remembers this decision and then continues processing the call.

At this point, the adjunct issues a notification that the system "searches" for subscriber 76 '. The subscriber's prepared base allows the auxiliary device 68 'to issue a notification to the caller 40' as an incentive to hold on the line while waiting for the call to complete. In the meantime, the auxiliary device reads the subscriber's pager code (known from the PTN) and along the calling ANI (or PIN, if available) the satellite station 70 '.
The code via communication link 82 '.

The satellite station broadcasts the pager code and ANI (or PIN) to paging transmitter 74 'through satellite 72' or through communication connection 85 '. When using satellite, pager code and ANI (or P
IN) is communicated to the satellite via wireless link 84 '. The satellite, in turn, broadcasts the pager code and ANI (or PIN) to the transmitter via wireless link 86 '.

When the bidirectional pager is equipped for location registration, the communication connection 85 'is used. Under the location registration scheme, the interactive pager periodically signals the satellite station to determine the area in which the moving party is located. Once the satellite knows the region of the party it is moving in, it only needs to send paging information to the transmitter associated with that region. In this way, the need for national broadcasting to all transmitters via satellite is eliminated. In this way, when location registration is used, the satellite station 72 'may have a pager code and an ANI (or PIN).
Can be communicated to transmitter 74 'through communication connection 85'. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a separate communication connection from the satellite station to each transmitter is not required. Rather, signals to a transmitter that is not directly linked to a satellite station are relayed to that transmitter through a network of transmitters that are linked to the satellite station.

Regardless of whether satellite 72 'or communication connection 85' is used, transmitter 74 'broadcasts a paging signal containing the pager code and ANI (or PIN) to the subscriber's pager. The broadcast from transmitter 74 'to pager 77' is represented by wireless link 88 '.
Upon receiving the paging signal from the transmitter, the subscriber is alerted to the call and responds by sending out a transfer signal. The subscriber may include any one of the available numbers in the transfer signal.

The subscriber may choose to transfer the call to the subscriber's selected telephone, in which case the subscriber uses a two-way pager to send the desired telephone number to the transmitter. Send to. Alternatively, the subscriber can forward the call to voicemail or some other treatment, in which case the subscriber uses the pager to send the number associated with the desired treatment.

Since paging and communication paths are independent, a subscriber can transfer a call to his PTN even when the subscriber is busy on a previous call. This is true regardless of whether the previous call was transferred to the subscriber's PTN, or directly to the phone where the subscriber "picked up" the previous call. Thus, in an illustrative scenario,
The subscriber transfers the first caller to a nearby phone and picks up the call on that phone. Then, while talking to the first caller, the subscriber forwards the second call to the secretary, the third call to voicemail, and so on. Later calls can be transferred without interrupting the first call, and the first caller is unaware of it.

In addition to sending a call transfer instruction, the subscriber sends a special call processing instruction to put a caller on hold, switch between callers,
You can make a conference call, re-forward a previously forwarded call, and so on. In a possible embodiment, these special instructions are executed by assigning them a number, which the subscriber sends to the transmitter in the same way as he sends the forwarding number. in this way,
In the case of switching between callers, the busy subscriber who received the second call sends the number 999 to the transmitter to put the first caller on hold and join the second caller. Caller's current phone can be instructed to transfer. In the example of re-forwarding a previously forwarded call,
The busy subscriber was forwarding the next call to voicemail, but later was able to pick up the next call by sending the number 000 to the transmitter before disconnecting the forwarded caller. Can be interrupted. Here 000 indicates that the transferred call must be released from voicemail and transferred to the subscriber. Irrespective of the handling of the call processing selected by the subscriber, as represented by wireless link 89 ',
The bidirectional pager transmits the transfer signal to the transmitter 74 '.
Transmitters to satellite stations 72 ', wireless links 86' and 84 '
Through satellite 72 'or via communication link 8
Relay the bidirectional pager transmission through 5 '. The satellite station then relays the subscriber's instructions to the auxiliary device through communication link 82 'and the auxiliary device responds accordingly.

To transfer the call to the called party telephone 52 ', the adjunct initiates a second call. The second call is routed to a third access switch 48 'through a trunk line 60' (similar to switches 44 'and 46', switch 48 'is a digital switch or a 4E switch). The third access switch then routes the second call to the local terminal 50 'based on the transfer number provided by the subscriber. This transfer number is the number of the called party's telephone 52 'to which the invoking call is transferred. Local terminal is telephone line 64 '
Connect the second call to the called party's telephone.

When the second call is complete, the call from the caller to the PTN (held by the auxiliary device) and the second call are bridged together in the auxiliary device 68 '(in this case the auxiliary device). The device holds it with the call) or is merged at switch 46 '(in this case the auxiliary device disappears from the call). When a call is bridged, an adjunct may perform functions such as holding the caller, exchanging callers, making a conference call, or interrupting a previously transferred call. it can. However, when calls are merged, switch 46 'performs these functions under the direction of ancillary equipment.

Hold the line while the call is being processed during the time between dialing the subscriber's PTN and initiating the call until the call is finally dispositioned (call setup). Such an invitation is set on the caller.

Reference is made to FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B in the following description of the procedure for updating the transfer number according to the call-by-call mode.

The first step for the subscriber to update the forwarding number is to depress the menu key 106 on the pager 100 (step 202). The word "update" appears on the display 102. The subscriber then depresses the select key 104 to select "update" (step 204). The word "update" flashes in the display to indicate to the subscriber to enter the update number (step 206). Here the subscriber is the keypad 1
Enter the transfer number via 08, indicating the end of the #
The key is continuously input (step 208). To enter a special call processing instruction, such as a conference call instruction, enter the number associated with the instruction rather than the transfer number (step 208). Subscribers who do not want to change the forwarding number and do not want to enter a special order number,
Instead of entering a number, simply press and hold the # key.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the pager has the ability to store a transfer number so that the short key sequence can be used to change the transfer number. For example, the subscriber's office telephone number can be stored in a first location in the pager's memory and the subscriber's home telephone number can be stored in a second location in the pager's memory. You can After that, when the subscriber wants to change the transfer number to the office number, the subscriber simply
Key in the # symbol after the. Similarly, when the subscriber wishes to change the forwarding number to his home number, the subscriber may simply key in a 2 followed by a # sign.

In any case, after receiving the # input,
The pager mode display flashes (step 21)
0). At this point, the subscriber must select the desired mode (step 212). (According to the invention, the subscriber selects the "per call" mode). The pager determines if the requested mode is the current mode (steps 214/222). If the subscriber wants call-by-call mode and the current mode is not call-by-call mode, the subscriber must select key 10 before the flashing mode indication stabilizes.
The mode is changed to every call mode by pressing 6 (step 224). If the current mode is call-by-call mode, then the subscriber may leave some time
Then, the mode instruction flashing thereafter becomes stable. Alternatively, the subscriber depresses the # key to shorten the timing and retain the current mode (step 226). After the mode is selected, the pager will display the pager code, updated transfer number,
The mode instruction for each call is transmitted to the transmitter 112 (step 228).

Subsequent to receiving the pager's transmission, transmitter 11 is represented, as represented by wireless link 111.
2 relays the pager code, updated transfer number, mode indication through the wireless link 113, the satellite 114, the wireless link 115, or through the communication link 117 to the satellite station 116 when location registration is used ( Step 230). Lastly, the satellite station has added to the auxiliary equipment used to transfer incoming calls:
The transfer number is relayed (step 232). at this point,
The update is completed (step 234).

FIGS. 9A and 9B show, in flowchart form, the steps taken in forwarding a call in call by call mode. In the following description of Figures 9A and 9B, reference is made to Figure 8.

When the caller 40 'dials the subscriber's PTN, a call-by-call procedure is initiated (step 302). The call is initiated by the access switch 4
4'or "OAS" (step 30)
4), OAS hears NCP 66 '(step 30)
6). NCP sets the route selection number (ARN) of the auxiliary device to O
The call is returned to the AS and the call is terminated to the access switch 4
6 ', ie auxiliary device 68' via "TAS A"
(Step 308). The terminating access switch passes the call number and the called PTN determined through the ANI to the auxiliary device (step 31).
0). The adjunct then reads the subscriber's record based on the dialed PTN (step 312) and determines if the subscriber has a PIN collected from the caller (step 314).

When the PIN is prepared, the auxiliary device 6
8'issues a prompt notice and aggregates the DTMF digits (step 316). If no PIN is provided, the procedure jumps to step 318 to determine if the subscriber is busy (ie, is a call to the subscriber via the auxiliary device in progress).

If the subscriber is busy, the next step is to check if the subscriber is a busy call (step 320). If the subscriber is not on an incoming call, the call is routed to a final action, such as voice mail (step 402). If the subscriber is actually an incoming call, the subscriber is paged and the paging signal is the pager code, call number (or PI).
N) and the call identification (step 404).
If the subscriber does not respond to the paging within a predetermined amount of time after the paging is sent out (step 405), the caller will be "timed out" and the call will be dispatched for final treatment (step 4).
06). The subscriber responds within the allotted time to initiate transmission of a transfer (or "arrival") number, or conference call command (step 428), and processing of the call continues in accordance with the steps following step 428. .

Step 318 that the subscriber is not busy
If so, the auxiliary device 68 determines whether the subscriber accepts the call (step 322). If no call has been received, the call is forwarded to final treatment (step 408). If not,
The adjunct reads the subscriber's pager code (step 410) and communicates the pager code, call number (or PIN) and call identification to the paging service (step 412). The paging service then sends the information to the pager 77 '(step 414) and alerts the subscriber to display the call number (or PIN) and call identification (step 416). At this point, the subscriber may either accept or reject the call (step 41).
8).

There are two ways a subscriber can reject a call. The subscriber does nothing, in which case the caller times out (step 420) and the adjunct routes the call to final treatment (step 426). Alternatively, the subscriber sends a reject signal (a special command) to the paging service (step 422), in which case the paging service relays the reject signal to the auxiliary device (step 424), and then the auxiliary device. Routes the call for final treatment (step 426). If the subscriber chooses to accept the call, the subscriber begins transmitting the reachable number via the interactive pager 77 (step 428).

Thus, the subscriber can send a reach number or conference call instruction at step 428 of the process. Upon receiving the number, the paging service communicates the number and call identification to the adjunct (step 430). The adjunct then checks if there is another currently active call for that subscriber (step 432).

If there is a call currently active, the adjunct checks if a conference call command has been received (step 435). If the conference call order has not been received, the adjunct places the active call on hold (step 434) and bridges or merges the new call to the subscriber (step 436). If a conference call order has been received, the adjunct bridges or merges the new call with both the subscriber and the original caller (step 437).

If there is no other currently active call, step 434 is skipped and immediately following step 432, the adjunct bridges or merges the new call to the subscriber (step 436). The procedure completes with call bridging or merging (step 43).
8).

Referring again to FIG. 6, auxiliary device 73, switch 47, communication connections 45, 49, 75, and radio link 87 are their corresponding elements of FIG. 8 (ie auxiliary device 68 'switch 46' communication connection). 48 ', 80', 8
2'and radio link 88 '). When the call reaches switch 44, switch 44 switches to NCP6.
6 and NCP 66 in turn hears CRP 68.
If the subscriber only subscribes to a subscription format service,
The call is handled according to the procedure described in connection with FIG. However, if the subscriber subscribes to a feature that is only available through a call-by-call type of service, such as a conference call feature, the CRP directs switch 44 to transfer the call to auxiliary device 73. Once the call has been redirected to the auxiliary device, the auxiliary device handles the call according to the procedure described in connection with FIGS. 9A and 9B. Thus, both registration and call-by-call services are provided through the configuration of FIG.

As an additional feature of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 6, auxiliary device 73 is connected to CRP 68 via communication connection 71. Therefore, when the CRP transfers a call to the auxiliary device, the auxiliary device can interrogate the CRP for subscriber records and current status information. Thus C
The RP can act as a database where the auxiliary device retrieves the paging information needed to perform call-by-call transfers.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a communication system incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a pager suitable for use in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A constitutes a flowchart illustrating the procedure followed to update a subscriber's forwarding number.

FIG. 4B constitutes a flowchart illustrating the procedure followed to update a subscriber's forwarding number.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure followed to complete a call in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a communication system used to perform per-call mode transfers.

8 is a block diagram of an existing telephone network incorporating the elements of FIG.

FIG. 9A constitutes a flow chart describing the steps performed in the transfer of calls on a per-call basis.

FIG. 9B constitutes a flowchart illustrating the steps performed in the transfer of calls on a call-by-call basis.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10 'Two-way pager 12, 12' Caller's telephone 14, 14 'First network switch 16, 16' Communication connection 18 'Second network switch 20 Communication connection 20' Communication connection 22, 22 'Communication connection 24 Network Control Point (NCP) 24 'Auxiliary Equipment 26 Communication Connection 26' Third Network Switch 27 Communication Connection 28, 28 'Paging Service 30 Wireless Link 30' Communication Connection 32, 32 'Terminating Telephone 34 Customer Routing Point (CRP) 34 'Communication connection 36' Communication connection 40, 40 'Caller 41, 41' Caller's telephone 42, 42 'Local station 43 Voice response unit (VRU) 44, 44' Switch 45 Communication link 46, 46 'Terminal side access switch 47 Switch 48' Switch 49 Communication connection 50 'Local station 52' Callee telephone 54, 54 'Telephone line 56, 56' Trunk line 57 Communication link 58, 58 'Trunk line 60 Switch 60' Trunk line 62, 62 'Trunk line 64 Local station 64 'Telephone line 66, 66' Network control point (NCP) 67 CCIS link 68 Customer routing point (CRP) 68 'Auxiliary equipment 70, 70' Satellite station 71 Communication connection 72, 72 'Satellite 73 Auxiliary equipment 74, 74' Paging transmitter 75 Communication connection 76, 76 'Subscriber 77, 77' Pager 78, 78 'CCIS link 80' ISDN link 82, 82 'Communication link 84, 84' Wireless link 85, 85 'Communication connection 86, 86' Wireless Link 87 Radio Link 88, 88 'Radio Link 89 'the radio link 90 the telephone line 92 phone 100 pager 102 display 104 select key 106 menu key 108 keypad 110 mode instructing 111 wireless link 112 transmitter 113 the radio link 114 satellite 115 radio links 116 satellite ground station 117 communication connection

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── front page of the continuation (72) inventor Albert free Death United States 08,816 New jar was I, East Brunswick, Yorktown Road 28 (72) inventor Shelley Bee. Goldman United States 08816 New Jersey, East Brunswick, Surrey Lane 9 (72) Inventor Roy Philip Weber United States 08807 New Jersey, Bridgewater, Turnbury Court 940

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A calling communication device for initiating a call to the called party using a personal telephone number uniquely associated with the called party; and b) the call being transferred. A communication device of the called party associated with a transfer number; and c) a pager used in transmitting an update signal by the called party, the update signal including the transfer number. A pager that is: d) a customer routing point that receives the update signal, extracts the transfer number, and stores the transfer number; and e) transfer the transfer number from the customer routing point to the personal telephone. A network control point that reads based on a number and uses the transfer number to retransfer the call to the called party's communication device; and f) the call. Means for connecting said communication device to said network control point; g) means for connecting said network control point to said customer routing point; and h) connecting said calling communication device to said called party. And a means for connecting to the communication device of, and a communication system. 2. The communication system according to claim 1,
Further, in the case of a voice response device, a prompt notice is sent to the communication device of the calling source, the numbers input by one or more customers are aggregated from the communication devices of the calling source, and the numbers input by the customer are displayed. A communication system comprising: a voice response device for passing to the network control point; and means for connecting the voice response device to the communication device of the calling source. 3. The communication system according to claim 2,
Means for connecting the calling communication device to the network control point, an initiating access exchange, a first communication link connecting the calling communication device to the initiating access switch, the initiating side A second communication link connecting an access switch to the network control point; 4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the initiating side access exchange is a digital exchange, and the first communication link includes a telephone line, a first local station, and a second telephone line. The communication system is characterized in that the second communication link is a common channel inter-station signaling system. 5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the means for connecting the communication device of the calling source to the communication device of the called party includes the first communication link and the initiating side access exchange. A terminating side access exchange, a third communication link connecting the initiating side access exchange to the terminating side access exchange, a second local station, and a terminating side access exchange connecting to the second local station A communication system, comprising: a third telephone line; and a fourth telephone line connecting the second local station to a communication device of the called party. 6. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the third access exchange is a digital exchange, and the third communication link is a telephone trunk line. 7. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein
And a means for receiving the update signal from the pager and relaying the update signal to the customer routing point; and means for connecting the paging service to the customer routing point. A communication system comprising: 8. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein the paging service receives the update signal from the pager and transmits the update signal, and the transmitter transmits the update signal. A satellite station for receiving the update signal from the satellite and broadcasting the update signal from the satellite, and a satellite station for receiving the update signal from the satellite and relaying the update signal to the customer routing point. A communication system characterized by: 9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the pager displays means for transmitting an update signal, a keypad for changing a characteristic of the update signal, and information about the update signal. And a display for, and a communication system. 10. A method of establishing communication through a network, comprising: a) transmitting a forwarding number from a pager to a customer routing point within the communications network; and b) forwarding the forwarding number to the customer routing point. C) initiating the call by dialing the called party's personal telephone number from the calling communication device; and d) connecting the call to a network control point. e) reading the transfer number from the customer routing point based on the personal telephone number; and f) transferring the call to the called party's communication device associated with the transfer number. A method of establishing communication, comprising: 11. The method for establishing communication through a network according to claim 10, wherein the step of connecting the call to a network control point provides a starting side access switch, and the starting communication device is started. Side access switch, and a step of connecting the initiating access switch to the network control point, the method for establishing communication. 12. The method of establishing communication through a network of claim 11, wherein the step of reading the transfer number provides a communication link between the customer routing point and the network control point. Passing the transfer number from the customer routing point to the network control point over the communication link. 13. The method for establishing communication through a network according to claim 12, wherein the step of connecting the calling communication device to the initiating access exchange comprises: a first telephone line; a first local station; And providing a second telephone line, connecting the calling communication device to the first local station via the first telephone line, and connecting the first local station to the activation side. Connecting to an access exchange via said second telephone line, a method of establishing communication. 14. The method of establishing communication through a network according to claim 13, wherein the step of re-forwarding the call comprises providing a terminating access switch, and the call from the initiating access switch to terminating access. Connecting to a switch; and connecting the call from the terminating access switch to a communication device of the called party, a method of establishing communication. 15. The method for establishing communication through a network according to claim 14, wherein the step of connecting the call from the terminating side access exchange to the called party's communication device comprises: a third telephone line; Providing a local station and a fourth telephone line; connecting the terminating side access exchange to the second local station through the third telephone line; and calling the second local station to the called party. Connecting to a person's communication device via the fourth telephone line, a method for establishing communication. 16. The method of establishing communication through a network of claim 10, further comprising the step of connecting the call to a network control point, connecting the call to a voice response device, and one or more persons. Aggregating customer-entered numbers at the voice response device; and passing the computer-entered numbers to the network control point for use in processing the call. And how to establish communication. 17. The method of establishing communication through a network of claim 16, wherein the step of forwarding the call to a calling communication device screens the call based on a digit entered by the customer, Determining whether the call should be forwarded to the called party's communication device associated with the forwarding number, or to an alternate process; forwarding the call based on the results of the screening; A method of establishing communication, characterized in that it is configured. 18. The method of establishing communication through a network according to claim 16, wherein the step of transferring the call to the called party's communication device includes the step of determining the identification number of the calling communication device; Based on the identification number of the calling communication device to determine if the call should be forwarded to the called device's communication device associated with the forwarding number or to an alternate process. And forwarding the call based on the screening result, a method for establishing communication. 19. The method of establishing communication through a network of claim 10, wherein the step of transmitting a forwarding number from the pager to a customer routing point comprises: sending an update signal including the forwarding number from the bidirectional pager to a paging service. Transmitting the update signal from the transmitter to a paging service satellite; broadcasting the transfer signal from the satellite for reception by a paging service satellite station; Transmitting a signal from the satellite station to a customer routing point, the method comprising establishing a communication. 20. a) a calling communication device that initiates a call to the called party using a personal telephone number uniquely associated with the called party; and b) the call is forwarded and forwarded. A callee's associated communication device, and c) a pager used by the called party in transferring an update signal, the update signal including the transfer number, and d) the update signal. A customer routing point that receives and extracts the transfer number and stores the transfer number; and e) receives the call from the calling communication device and sends the transfer number to the customer routing point. And a supplementary device for transferring the call to a communication device of the called party.